Drug Abuse Resistance Education, which teaches preteens about the consequences of drug use, could lose $60,000 in funding under a budget that will go before the Tracy City Council tonight. Press file photo.
As proposed, the budget would eliminate $60,000 for D.A.R.E., which teaches elementary and middle school students about drugs.
The city’s financial director, Zane Johnston, said the City Council will decide about money for Drug Abuse Resistance Education at its July 20 meeting. He said the police department is working on re-evaluating D.A.R.E. and the money needed to run it, and it could be added back to the budget at that point.
Johnston said the reserves are intended to “guide” the city “through the ups and downs,” but there are regulations in place to make sure the money is not depleted.
He said the city budget must be balanced by the fiscal year 2012-13, which means the Tracy’s revenues must at least equal its expenses, and reserve money must remain untouched. He also said at least 15 percent of the reserve money needs to be available at that time.
The City Council will also discuss the possibility of spending $2.75 million in developer fees to lure a Macy’s department store to the West Valley Mall.
The council will meet at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 333 Civic Center Plaza.
• Contact reporter Jaclyn Hirsch at 830-4223 or jhirsch@tracypress.com.
"The City Council will also discuss the possibility of spending $2.75 million in developer fees to lure a Macy’s department store to the West Valley Mall."
Are you kidding me? How bout finishing a sports park where a lot of tax revenue will happen automatically through big tournaments that are hosted by local sports leagues. Instead of hoping that Macy's will have people spending money at the mall. I just don't get the thinking process of this town sometimes.
Let them fight for it. Otherwise the program is worthless. Parents don't care and don't show up for police sponsored events and coffee with a cop.
It is sad that the city has wasted this much money for so long when parents wont even take a stand.
Where your money is there will your heart b also.
That's the only way to get parents attention. That or start sending them a bill like the 911 police charge.
Something should be done to get their attention.
When the police show up they know them by name.
This does little to send crime out of town. Just buddy buddy with them and their parents are oblivious.
I hope the city does evaluate this. We need a crackdown on gangs, but I think our Congressman in his wisdom didn't care to push for the gang free zone last year.
Nice one.